The Belgian capital has gone all out to improve safety at this year’s 143rd edition of the Foire du Midi, which starts on Saturday: in addition to a 30km/h speed limit around the fairground, scooters and bicycles are to be banned from the site itself.
Moreover, cafés, restaurants and shops on Boulevard du Midi have taken part in drawing up an emergency evacuation plan for the fairground, while the Red Cross will also be opening a permanent post on site.
These and other details were given by Economic Affairs Alderman Fabian Maingain on Thursday, at a presentation of the event, alongside representatives of the fairgrounds and DJ Dadddy K., godfather of this year’s edition.
The 143rd edition of the Foire du Midi will run until 20 August, alderman Maingain said. The patron of the event will be volleyball player Britt Herbots of the Yellow Tigers, Belgium’s national team, while actor Kevin le forain will take on the role of mascot.
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, some 130 attractions and food stalls will be accessible for more than a month, along a 1.6-kilometre route. The event will stretch from Porte de Hal to Arts et Métiers, along Boulevard du Midi, every day from 1 p.m. (11 a.m. for food stalls) to midnight (01 a.m. at weekends).
The City of Brussels has withdrawn its intention to grant the Fair a derogation from the noise standards to be respected. According to the alderman, this was because of a material error in the wording of the decision.
Local residents had lodged an appeal with the Council of State.
According to Mr Maingain, the noise standards remain in force: up to 95 decibels during the day and a maximum of 75 decibels after 10p.m. There will also be 33 sound level meters on the site.
“Open to all, the Fair is part of the City of Brussels’ tourism strategy and an indispensable part of Brussels’ culture, providing numerous economic spin-offs,” said Mr. Maingain. “But it also represents a challenge, particularly when it comes to respecting local residents.
“I prefer to act during the event and favour the ongoing search for a balance between the quality of life in the city and the maintenance of events such as this one,” the alderman added.
As every year, a recreational afternoon will be offered to sick and/or disabled children on the initiative of fairground coordinator Patrick De Corte. Six or seven associations will be able to offer 200 youngsters the pleasures of the fair on 10 August.
The last day of the fair will feature reduced prices for certain professions.
